Now is the Time to Plant "In This They Are Robbing God"

VOLUME 56
POONA, INDIA, September 15, 1961
Now is the Time to Plant
0. 0. MATTISON
T
HE OTHER day I picked up
a seed catalogue that came
to me in the mail and on the
outside were printed these words,
"Now is the time to plant." The
thought came to my mind that
certainly here is a business man
who is alert in drawing the attention of gardeners and householders
to the opportunity which is theirs
of recognizing the season of planting; showing them the place where
to get the seed, and reminding
them that now is the season to
plant the seed.
As I looked at the title on the
seed catalogue I thought of the
beautiful verse in the Bible recorded in Ecclesiastes 11:6, "In the
morning sow thy seed, and in the
evening withhold not thine hand:
for thou knowest not whether shall
prosper, either this or that or
whether they both shall be alike
good," and my mind turned to the
relationship as it pertains to our
work.
In India we have dry seasons
and wet seasons, hot seasons and
cold seasons. The farmer has to
observe the seasons and be alert
and know when to plant if he
would expect to have a harvest.
But thank God for the minister,
the evangelist, and every member
of the church who is aware that
any time, all the time, and every
time is the opportune time for seed
sowing. It may be in the morning
and it may be in the evening, but
regardless of the time or the season,
the heart of some person is ripe
and ready for the receiving of the
seed of the gospel. That is the reason Paul admonished young
Timothy, in 2 Tim. 4:2, when he
was endeavouring to make a good
preacher out of him, "Preach the
word; be instant in season, out of
season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine." In other words, don't wait
NUMBER 18
for a "season" to preach. Don't
wait for an opportunity to present
itself. The opportunity is always
present to sow the seed.
How fortunate we are not to
have to wait for a season, as the
farmer has to wait. One desiring
to sell seed recognizes the seasons
and draws the attention of the
farmer to the fact that now is the
time to plant. We can, however,
plant beside all waters at all
times. This gives us untold opportunities and the privilege of
constantly sowing and constantly
preparing the soil, believing that
God will bless our sowing and
reap the harvest for His kingdom.
Today, as you read these words,
recognize that it gives you an
opportunity to plant now. Now is
the time for you and me, for
every worker, and for the church
of God to plant. Let us take advantage of this opportunity.
"In This They Are Robbing God"
G. R. NASH
Secretary, Sabbath School Department
General Conference
In the year 1879, Mrs. E. G.
White made the following statement in the Youth's Instructor:
"It is a sad failing with many
that they are always behind time
on Sabbath morning. They are very
particular about their own time;
they cannot afford to lose an hour
of that; but the Lord's time, the
only day out of the seven that the
Lord claims as His and requires
us to devote to Him, quite a portion of this is squandered away
by sleeping late in the morning.
2
In this they are robbing God. It
causes them to be behind in everything; it makes confusion in the
family; and finally results in the
tardiness of the entire family at
Sabbath school, and perhaps at
meeting. Now why can we not rise
early with the birds and offer
praise and thanksgiving to God?
Try it, brethren and sisters. Have
your preparations all made the
day before and come promptly to
the Sabbath school and meeting,
and you will thereby not only
benefit others, but you will reap
rich blessings for yourselves."
(Italics supplied.)
Human nature is slow to
change, so probably the above admonition is still timely. The exhortation of the apostle not to
forsake the assembling of ourselves together is of increasing significance as the end draws near.
When the record of probationary
time comes to a close, as it soon
will for each of us, the Sabbath
school attendance record will
without doubt be included. Should
not our weekly faithfulness be
such that we shall not dread to
see this feature of our lives
revealed?
The Sabbath school is a gathering of groups for the study of the
Bible. The purpose is to win souls
to Christ and establish them in
the faith. Regularity in attendance
is vital to the success of the overall plan. It is more necessary in
the Sabbath school than in the
day school or the college, for the
sessions are farther apart, and one
absence means an interval of two
weeks between lessons.
The Sabbath school attendance
should be substantially greater
than the church membership.
There are at least two reasons for
this. One is that every Seventhday Adventist family sends the
children to the Sabbath school
from their very earliest years, long
before they are old enough to be
baptized and join the church.
Another is that in its very nature
the Sabbath school is a missionary
agency and should ever be on the
lookout for non-Adventist friends
and neighbours who may be drawn
to this service of informal Bible
study by a welcoming, persuasive
word of invitation.
SOUTHERN ASIA TIDINGS
Although the Sabbath school is
recognized as a most effective
agency for soul winning arid also
for spiritual growth and development, it is unfortunately true that
there are a few who habitually
absent themselves. We do not
refer particularly to the aged or
the infirm, or to the isolated. We
do not mean those who are
actually unable to attend. They
can be members of the Extension
Division. We have in mind those
who are among the missing for no
apparent reason except indifference. Of course, we all work hard
during the week and are naturally
tired and sleepy on Sabbath morning. It takes effort to overcome
our feelings and get to Sabbath
school on time. The devil will
always do his utmost to convince
us that we might just as well stay
home where we can relax and read
at the same time. But even as we
try to persuade ourselves by this
line of reasoning, we know that
the argument is not genuine. I
have never yet heard a good
excuse for habitual absence from
the house of God during the
Sabbath school hour by any ablebodied individual within reasonable distance of the church.
If we have been somewhat
negligent in our regularity at Sabbath school, let us here resolve
that the coming Sabbaths, so far
as our human limitations make it
possible, will find us in our pews
on time.
Some may be present but in
some neighbouring or, distant
Sabbath school. They are truants
as far as their home Sabbath
school is concerned. Someone says,
"Why ought we to attend where
our membership is? Why all this
urgency about attending the
`home' Sabbath school each
week?"
I would answer, "You can be a
better Christian." People who continually visit around in different
Sabbath schools do not develop
into strong Christians. They become "samplers" who soon become
satiated and critical. The lack of
local Sabbath school interest and
responsibility makes them bored;
they become disinterested and go
irregularly, or quit going altogether.
Attending where we live enables
us to accomplish more for the
Lord. We can with enthusiasm invite other people to attend "our"
Sabbath school and church. The
apostle Paul once said, "Whatever
you are doing, let your hearts be
in your work, as a thing done for
the Lord and not for men." (Col.
3:23, Weymouth).
Let us personally resolve that
just as far as possible we will not
be absentees, but that we will be
present and on time each week in
our own home Sabbath school.
May we do all that we can to
build up our Sabbath school attendance is my earnest prayer.
Western India Union Reporting:
SUNDAY NIGHT MEETINGS
COMMENCE WITH
CAPACITY CROWD
V. D. OHAL
It is with gratitude in our hearts
that we wish to write a few lines
here to express our thanks to God
for the way he has led us so far
in our work at Ahmednagar.
In the early thirties a series of
meeting were conducted by Elder
F. E. Spiess at which time my
parents accepted the truth. Later
on after a gap of about 17-18 years
another series of meetings were
conducted by Pastors M. D.
Moses, and S. L. Khandagale and
as a result we were able to establish our work here. For sometime
the membership continued to grow
steadily. But unfortunately during
the years that followed our work
here came to a standstill. Some
members discontinued coming to
our Sabbath school and Sabbath
services. The work here was in a
critical stage and is in the same
state, to some extent, even today.
When we came here last summer we wondered how we could
revive the work here. Our prayer
SOUTHERN ASIA TIDINGS
hall at Ferguson Gate was in a bad
shape and many thought that the
Adventists have left Ahmednagar
at last. And so we thought that the
best thing would be to let the people know that we are still here and
do not intend to leave until everyone hears the truth.
With this thought in mind it was
planned to start a series of Sunday
night meeting here in the same old
hall at the Ferguson Gate. Many
members felt this may not be the
best thing to do because they
thought we may not get people to
hear us preach the gospel. But we
felt that under the circumstances
the best thing would be to hold the
meetings in the same hall. Mainly
for the following three reasons:—
firstly, it would revive the old
members. Secondly, it would help
us to bring in those who have backslidden. And thirdly, it would help
us to reach the new ones.
The date August 6th was fixed
for our opening meeting. Necessary
repairs were done on the hall. Our
signboard entitled, "Message of
Peace Lecture Series" was hung on
the front wall of the hall. Simple
handbills were printed and distributed. With mixed feelings of joy
and fear we went to the hall that
evening. With joy because we were
ready to start and with Tear because we were not sure we would
get anyone to preach to because
many such meetings had been conducted in the past and this was
nothing new to the people. There
were few minutes to start and we
did not have many people. But
when it was time to start the meeting they came in. The hall was full
to the capacity and some had to
stand outside. We had a wonderful meeting and God surely blessed
our efforts. We certainly appreciate the valuable help given by
Mr. B. H. Kaley from Nevasa.
It is too early to say what the
outcome will be, but one thing is
sure that the Lord has led us so
far and we have every reason to
believe that He will continue to do
so. And when the interest here
reaches the peak we hope and pray
that we will be able to secure a
property of our own. Then we will
have n-thing to fear and our work
here will be on a firm ground. We
request you to pray for us so that
there will be a great revival among
the members here and many who
have not heard the Gospel may
hear it and join the remnant
church before it is forever too late.
KOLHAPUR DISTRICT
S. L. KHANDAGLE
The village schools in the Kolhapur district have all started this
year with a large attendance. The
enrolment this year is more than
the previous year, especially at
Kumbhoj, Patan Kodoli and Paragon Kodoli.
The tithe receipts from the Kolhapur area show an increase over
last year's receipts. Our lay members here are happier to give than
to receive. Some of them have expressed that the more they give,
the more they are blessed. There
are a few churches that are behind
in this respect but we hope they too
will learn to be faithful in the
matter of tithe paying.
A few personal changes have
been made in the district:
3
B. B. Bhosle who was in charge
of the Kumbhoj work has gone to
Lasalga on to take the TeacherEvangelist course. Miss Hannabai
Ranade has moved to Kumbhoj to
care for the work there.
Miss Malan Nade will care for
the school at Alte.
V. D. Waidande, from the North
Maharashtra Section, has moved
to Aitwade to care for the work at
that place.
T. R. Nade is working at Paragaon Kodoli.
M. B. Waidande and family are
now stationed at Miraj to follow
up the interests that was created
by the effort there. There are many
V. 0. P. students in the vicinity
and they expect to have a baptism
soon.
A group from the village of
Unchgaon, near Kolhapur, are
showing a keen interest in the
message. The writer with the help
of Brother Sitaram Chougule, who
has completed the V.O.P. course,
conducts a Bible study class. We
have a baptismal class of thirty
now and hope that many of them
will be ready to partake of the
ordinance by the end of the course.
Public Relations for the Christian
CHARLES R. BEELER
Public Relations Director, Florida Conference
T
HERE WAS A NEW family
next door whose members
seemed different from other
people. Soon it was discovered that
they were Seventh-day Adventists.
"That must be why they are so
queer," the Smiths decided. The
Smiths knew little about Adventists, but thought they ought to be
neighbourly. But they found that it
was not easy to be friendly with
these new neighbours. They seemed so distant and unresponsive.
The Smiths themselves moved
away before long, but you may be
sure of the thoughts that came into Mary Smith's mind thereafter
whenever she heard the name
Seventh-day Adventist.
Years later Mary Smith (that is
not her real name) was working
in an office, and at the next desk
a different Mrs. Adventist. As
Mary got acquainted with her new
friend she asked, "Are you a good
Seventh-day Adventist?"
"Yes, I sincerely endeavour to
live a consistent Christian life."
was the reply.
"But you aren't like the Adventists I knew when I was a girl.
You're friendly."
This second Mrs. Adventist has
had Mary Smith as a guest in her
home and at church, and is giving
her a new and more accurate picture of Adventists. Mary may have
paid little attention to what Adventists believe, and may have no
conscious intention of becoming
4
one of us. But she will now be in
a much more receptive frame of
mind than formerly.
How many times our attempts
at direct missionary contacts fail
because of apathy, suspicion, or
open antagonism. We try to communicate the message, but are unable to do so effectively because of
misconceptions others have about
us. People fail to understand or to
accept our message because they
have not first understood or accepted us. You might hold a bottle
under a tap for an hour and not
get a drop of water in it—as long
as the stopper is in. The stopper of
prejudice has to be removed from
people's hearts and minds before
a drop of saving truth can be
poured in.
What do people—your neighbour, your employer, your merchant, your relative—think of
Seventh-day Adventists? Unfavourable opinion and prejudice
often are the result of lack of acquaintance and information. Although it is commonly said that
familiarity breeds contempt, public
opinion experts have recently discovered that "favourability rises
with familiarity." They conclude
that "those who know you best
like you best."
No one changes his opinions
SOUTHERN ASIA TIDINGS
easily. What did you think before
you became an Adventist, if you
were not born in this faith? It
probably took you some time to
change your opinions, and doubtless much careful effort and influence on the part of someone else.
The creating, moulding, and
changing of opinion is the work of
the public relations profession.
Since opinions are made of information plus individual emotional
reactions, the principal tool in this
delicate work is communication—
the expression and transmission of
ideas.
For those of us who work in the
field of public relations, PR—as
the term is often abbreviated—
stands for "prejudice removal." We
must effectively remove the stopper
of prejudice by helping others to
understand us and to feel friendly
toward us as a people.
Effective and useful as the mass
communications media are, a still
better method is available. One
promoter of an idea recently said,
"You must find a way to speak to
the public directly, not in print,
not by electronics, but face to
face." The most effective medium
in accomplishing this is person-toperson communication—and that
means you.
"What can I do?" you ask. The
fact is that everything you do
comes into the picture. If people
know you as an Adventist, every
word and action, every habit and
personal peculiarity enters into
their opinion picture of Adventists.
If they do not know you, everything about your person and behaviour should prepare the way for
a favourable impression of Adventists when they do learn your
identity.
God's communication plan for
today involves an intelligent use of
all the media available, to be sure.
But He has a still better plan for
revealing Himself—"the Word ...
made flesh." The Son of God once
came to dwell among men; now
He comes to dwell in men. The indwelling of Christ in His human
followers is the sum and substance
of the Christion life. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I
live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me" (Gal. 2:20). If Christ dwells
in us, our every act and attitude
only speak to men about God.
Although the printed page is a
powerful means of communication
and must be used to the fullest
extent, "not all the books written
can serve the purpose of a holy
life. Men will believe, not what the
minister preaches, but what the
church lives."—Testimonies, vol. 9
p. 21. We are epistles, "known and
read of all men" (2 Cor. 3:2).
Does God's message reach men
through my life? Does my behaviour tell them that God loves them,
and invite them to accept His salvation? Does my light so shine,
that men will see my good works
and glorify my Father in heaven?
S. D. A. Volunteers
removing earth that
had fallen from the
collapsed walls into a
Brahmin widow's home.
SOUTHERN ASIA TIDINGS
The Poona Flood—July 12, 1961
0. W. LANGE
T
HE POONA FLOOD has
taken prominence in the
news of India especially
Western India. Because the Division Headquarters is here I know
that many of our believers will be
anxious to know what has happened.
Poona has had unprecedentedly
heavy monsoon rains. The water
supply for the city was had from
the Khadakvasla lake—a manmade tank some fifty years or
more old. Since the supply of water
in this lake was insufficient for
Poona's growing need therefore,
recently the Government erected
the new and larger Panshet Dam
about twelve miles further up the
river.
The heavy rain over-filled the
Panshet Dam and caused it to
overflow and break. This brought
a tremendous volume of water
down the valley. The extra presDorcas-Welfare worker, Mrs. V. Raju, handing
a sari to a lady, who with her family, was
flooded out of their home. This family of five is
living in a relief centre.
Welfare leaders of the Poona churches distributing clothing to the flood victims.
A close-up of one section of the circle to the left.
Mrs. Rachina Simpson, one of the group of volunteers who go out daily with the Publishing
House truck, distributing milk to some 700 children in the refugee centres.
Dr. N. J. Bandorawalla, Secretary of the Indian
Red Cross, Poona, who with his assistants, supply CARE milk for the refugee children. There
are about 200 children in this centre who receive
their glass of milk each day. You should see the
improvement in their health and behaviour since
the programme began.
6
sure thus caused broke the Khadakvasla Dam flooding the lower
areas in Poona city.
Fortunately the disaster occurred
in the day time from 10:00 a.m.
until 6:00 p.m. Therefore the loss
of life was very small. In about
one hour's time, water rose about
forty feet above normal river level.
Many of the buildings along the
river banks and in the lower levels
collapsed. Water rose to the top of
three storey buildings along the
river bank.
Pastor T. R. Torkelson, the
pastor of the English church,
Brother S. James, Mrs. M. E.
Kemmerer (Dorcas Federation
leader for the district) and President R. E. Rice of Spicer Memorial
College immediately offered the
services of Seventh-day Adventists
to the officials. The Secretary to
the Collector stated that our organization was the very first one to
step forward to help.
Brother Torkelson secured a
large quantity of food in the form
of biscuits from the Sathe Biscuit
Factory to distribute to the victims. The Poona Red Cross needed men and conveyance for milk
distribution service which our organization could furnish.
For the past six weeks the Oriental Watchman Publishing House
truck with a crew of Seventh-day
Adventist helpers has daily visited
six refugee centres in co-operation
with the Poona District Red Cross
to distribute milk to children of
families made homeless by the
flood.
Our Dorcas ladies have worked
hard to supply the St. Margaret's
Hospital (Church of England),
which was flooded ten feet or more
deep in water, with clothing, towels
and such supplies as they could
sew.
A group of young men from
Spicer College and from Salisbury
Park volunteered to help clear out
the mud that had silted into the
public buildings, also from homes
of the flood victims.
Spicer College men earned a good
name for their willingness and hard
work at the Municipal Building
where two floors had been submerged in water leaving a layer of
SOUTHERN ASIA TIDINGS
mud six inches deep over everything.
Some volunteers from the OrienHE SEVENTH-DAY Advental Watchman Publishing House
tist Hospital School of
and Voice of Prophecy helped unNursing held its graduation
fortunate persons dig through the
exercise
for the Seniors, June 18,
ruins of their former homes in
1961. "The two graduates, Ethel
search of articles in an attempt to
Allah Ditta, and Violet Labha
salvage cooking vessels etc.
Mall, are the second class to gradThe Seventh-day Adventist uate from the Karachi School of
Church members in the Poona Nursing. Pastor D. T. Hawley dearea (which includes Spicer Col- livered the address and Dr. R. I.
lege) made liberal gifts to relief McFadden presented the certififunds in the churches. The Division cates.
contributed to some of the special
We congratulate these two
relief funds that had been organyoung ladies who have completed
ized.
Our small relief efforts to help their training, and we anticipate
others has done our churches good the time when each of the succeedand opened our eyes to see a ing classes will also enter into service as graduate nurses.
greater field of service.
It is evident that God is perSix students had already enrolmitting disasters to come, in order led-in the new freshman class, and
to awaken the people to the un- others were expected to arrive becertainties of life and to give His fore the classes began the last week
people better opportunities to wit- in August.
ness concerning the loving kindness
Pastor and Mrs. N. L. Sherwin
of Jesus. This we may do more
have arrived. Pastor Sherwin is to
effectively by our actions than by
take over the responsibilities of the
preaching. Let us help those who
church pastorship and hospital
are sick and in trouble. Shall we
chaplain.
not accept these opportunities to
do good to others as a wonderful
Dr. and Mrs. T. V. Rice have
challenge to serve Jesus?
joined the ranks of the medical
God is giving us opportunities. staff.
He will also bless every effort that
Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Saunders
is made to minister to others.
left Karachi August 20, for Ethiopia where Dr. Saunders will engage
Nurses in training at the Karachi
Hospital School of Nursing. The two in medical mission service.
Karachi Hospital
T.
in the centre are the graduates of this
year's class. The three at the right are
second year students and the three at
training.
SOUTHERN ASIA TIDINGS
Sold Out Completely
ELIZABETH ANN HILTON
Two boys they had—beautiful,
with lovely brown eyes, and wavy
brown hair. Both boys went to
church school. Both went to
church.
They heard mother pray fervent
prayers in the weekly prayer
meeting. They heard father give
ringing testimonies on the Sabbath
and in prayer meeting.
I wonder what went on in their
young minds. They must have
laughed a little ironically, comparing what they saw and heard at
home with what they heard at
church. Often they heard mother
say, "Sh-h-h-h. Don't make a
noise."
"Why, Mother?" the boys would
ask.
"That's old Peller, from the
grain shop. I don't want him to
know we are at home."
"We don't trade there any more,
do we, Mother?" asked Dean, the
older of the two boys.
"I'll say we don't. Old Peller is
too insulting. He ought to know
these are hard times. to is always
hollering his head off about that
bill we owe him. I'll pay him when
I get good and ready."
The C. H. Hamel family spent
the week end of August 12 in Karachi on their way to Lahore. Pastor
and Mrs. Hamel look natural but
the two children have grown. We
welcome our Union president
home.
Mother Geibel left August 16
for her home in Germany, after
visiting Dr. and Mrs. Harold
Geibel for 8 months. We will miss
cheerful, godly Mother Geibel
around this place.
Miss Ruth Mitchel has just returned from her short leave in
Beirut and other places in that
area. She reports having a wonderful holiday.
Mrs. McFadden is teaching
English to the freshman class of
nursing.
The boys knew from past experience that mother might never get
good and ready. When father's
payday came around he always
brought home the most delightful
things. Whole boxes of candy bars,
and once five pounds of chocolates.
"Did you pay anything to old
•41P4IIINIP,41P441PNIP.41.41PNIP4ipylp4.0.410.
Are
All
the
Children
in?
—By Mrs. C. F. Moon
While the storms of life are raging
And the world is steeped in sin,
Tell me, father, mother, dear ones,
Are all the children in?
Are they safe within the portals
Of the home they long have known?
Or, are they struggling with the tempests
On the mountains all alone?
1, dear Lord, will give the answer
From the faith I have within,
When Thy mighty trumpet soundeth,
All my children will be in.
.41P4.411Kdr•-.01,1/411PAIPAPNIN.P.41P.IP*41PNI•
Peller?" mother asked him one
particular day.
The boys were standing there
and saw their father sneer. "Know
what that old fool did?" he asked
angrily. "He put a garnishment on
my wages over at the shop. I
would wring his skinny old neck if
I had a chance."
What did the two boys think,
standing there? They knew well
they, had eaten food for a long
time from the Peller store. The
food was gone, but a sizable bill
for food already consumed still
stood on the books. The merchant
knew of course, what church the
family attended, and naturally
they and their church came to be
associated together in his uncomplimentary thoughts.
One day the owner of a local
cloth shop called on the church
7
pastor. "Does M. Samuel belong
to your church?" he asked abruptly, and perhaps not too respectfully, in a sarcastic tone of voice.
"Yes, he does," answered the
pastor, his heart sinking at the evil
influence one family can spread
over an entire town.
"That man has awed me a big
bill for two years," the man said
loudly. "I cannot get a thing out
of him but soft soap and promises
I know he will break. Know what
he tells me every time I go to dun
him? Well, I'll tell you," the cloth
merchant said harshly. "When I
ask him when he is going to take
care of this bill, he keeps saying,
`Very soon, the Lord willing.' Can
you tell me when the Lord is going
to be willing? I'd really like to
know."
The pastor went to see Samuel
that afternoon. It happened to be
payday. He had already cashed his
check, and had just come out of
a sweets shop when the pastor met
him. His face lighted up when their
eyes met, and he said, "Have some
sweets, Pastor." Naturally he wondered what the pastor had come
for.
The sons remembered the houses
from which they have been evicted,
and for which they were still owing
rent. The boys were along, also,
when their parents tried to buy a
new radio. "Sorry," the clerk said
after returning from the office,
"you'll have to pay cash. Maybe
you don't know it, but your name
is on the black list. There's nothing
I can do about it."
Of course, the Mells were furious, and loudly protested as they
left the store, saying they would
never again as much as buy a pin
there. Naturally, the boys heard
it all.
The two boys are out in the
world today. They laugh at religion, and make fun of prayer, the
Bible, and the church. The church,
we are told, has "less to fear from
the infidel and the open blasphemer than from inconsistent professors of Christ. ... Every act of
fidelity is registered, every act of
dishonesty also is recorded, and
every person is finally to be rewarded as his works have been."—
Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 564.
8
SOUTHERN ASIA TIDINGS
R.
S. Watts.
PAKISTAN WORKERS'
MEETING
N INSPIRATIONAL and
informative study conference took place in Lahore,
the last week of August with
Pastor R. S. Watts, general field
secretary of the General Conference, taking a leading part. About
twenty delegates attended, most of
them workers in the Pakistan
Union. The group came together
to study more effective ways of
evangelism in their Union.
Plans for the conference • had
been laid well in advance by Pastor
C. H. Hamel, president of the
Union, and Pastor E. R. Reynolds.
Topics has been assigned to
workers on various phases of
soul-winning. These men presented
their materials in the form of
papers carefully prepared. Painstaking research had been done in
a number of cases. As this information was studied, Pastor Watts
led in co-ordinating the thinking of
the delegates with findings by
similiar study groups in other divisions who are working on the same
problems.
All of this is the outworking of
a plan initiated by the General
Conference to study problems of
evangelism in countries predominantly Muslim. Before coming to
Southern Asia Pastor Watts had
participated in such confeiences in
the South African and Middle
East Divisions. A fourth is to be
held in Singapore.
In addition to the help received
from Pastor Watts and the workers of the Pakistan Union, the
conference benefited from the
presence and counsel of Pastor
0. 0. Mattison, president of the
Division.
Before proceeding to Singapore,
Pastor Watts spent a few days in
India, He was with the churches
in Delhi on Sabbath, September 2.
Then he stopped briefly in Bombay
and Poona. The believers at
Salisbury Park and Spicer College
had the opportunity of hearing his
inspiring messages.
Pastor Watts is a brother of Mrs.
C. A. Boykin, now living in Shillong. Pastor Watts' plan included
a visit to the Boykins' home following the Singapore meeting as
he returned to America via the
Middle East. Pastor Watts was
for many years a missionary in
Korea and later President of the
South African Division. His messages of the onward progress of the
work in those areas were especially encouraging.
M. V. WEEK OF PRAYER AT
NONGPOH
K. KHARBTENG
T NONGPOH,—the half
way stop from Gauhati to
Shillong—where I was
asked by the Assam Mission to
conduct the MV Week of Prayer,
we have only two baptized church
members. They are women and
have five small children. I rather
wondered in my heart what an MV
Week of Prayer would do for this
company.
For some years the Mission had
conducted a school here, but it was
closed three years ago because the
children of school ago had moved
away. About a year ago three families became interested and have
been attending Sabbath services
regularly, so that we have a group
of 20 adults and their children
coming regularly to the little
thatched meeting place these people
Registered No. B. 1858
erected at their own expense. Most
of them live two or three miles
away, but all were there for each
meeting—and on time.
One of the men had long been
addicted to smoking. He has repeatedly refused to give up his
tobacco, his pan and unclean meats
contending that the Bible does not
condemn them.
In the closing meeting of the
week, when we talked of the nearness of Christ's coming, I invited
all who would like to surrender
their lives to Christ and be prepared to meet Him at His coming
to stand. The smoker was the first
man on his feet, then he motioned
for his daughter to join him. The
rest of the company also responded and now we have a good sized
group preparing for baptism.
I can see now what the MV
Week of Prayer can do for the
older people, too, and I praise God
for His wonderful love and invitation to us all.
FOR SALE. One set of the
Twentieth Century Bible Course
Film Strips—New Edition. Apply
P. Cooper, 36, Park Street, Calcutta 16.
groutbtrit Scsia Tibitto
Of6eird Organ of the
SOUTHERN ASIA DIVISION
of the General Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists
EDITOR
ASSOCIATE
EDITORS
MRS. 0. W. LANCE
0. 0. MATTISON
D. S. JOHNSON
DIVISION DIRECTORY
0. 0. MATTISON
President
D. S. JoHNsoN
Secretary
Treasurer and Auditor M. E. KEMMERER
I. R. TOEWS
Asst. Treasurer
N. R. Fouts
Auditor
D. DAVID
Asst. Auditor
DEPARTMENTAL SECRETARIES
R. S. Lows'r
Educational
Home Miss. and
Sabbath School
Medical
0. W. LANCE
PHILIP NELSON
YPMV and Ministerial J. F. Asmoce
Temperance,
Radio & V.O.P.
C. R. BONNEY
Asst. Sect. of V.O.P. and
S. JAMES
Temperance Depts.
B. J. WILLIAMS
Publishing
E. R. SrnEErEte
Building Engineer
Published by D. S. Johnson for the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, S. A.
Division, Poona, and printed by V. Raja
at the Oriental Watchman Puhlishing
Salisbury Park, Poona 1. 2,450-5789-61.
House,